CLUB NOTES.

Auckland Star, 2 September 1933, Page 13

CLUB NOTES.

An honoured guest at the Manukau Yacht Club's "smoker -, last Saturday was Mr. Leo. Sutherlaud, the only member present who was at the first meeting of the club 42 years ago. Mr. Sutherland recalled several incidents of the early days of the club. The first meeting was held at Mr. Jeff's home, and subsequent meetings at the back of the local fire brigade's shed. The racing was good, he said, and the handicapping especially so, as they handicapped to half-minutes and won by seconds. In their first season the races included trading cutters and other craft used for business purposes. Although not now a resident of Onehunga, Mr: Sutherland has maintained an interest in his old club nnd is a regular visitor to their functions. At the Ponsonby Model Yacht Club's meeting last Monday the following dates were decided on for the season:—September 17, tide 5.5 p.m.; October 1, 4.49 p.m.; 15th, 3.50 p.m.; 29th, 3.53 p.m.; November 12th, 2.10 p.m.; 26th, 2.25 p.m.; December 10th, 12.48 p..m.; February 11, 5.32 p.m.; 25th (regatta), 4.20 p.m.; March 10th, 3.35 p.m.; 24th, 2.S p.m.; April 1, 2.10 p.m. The club will hold its second series of races this week-end, when events for threefooters, four-footers and all comers will be sailed off St. Mary's Bay jetty. The 30th annual meeting of the Victoria Cruising Club, held on Wednesday evening, was well attended and members showed their appreciation of the good work of the executive. It is a pleasure to see one of the old clubs maintaining its standing in spite of the times. The balancesheet showed that income exceeded expenditure for the season by a substantial sum, thanks mainly to an amount of £128 raised by members and several debentures returned to the club. The locker and hauling out fees amounted to £63. The confidence of members was shown by the fact that few, if any, alterations were made in last year's office holders, except where a member could not accept the position. The Devonport Yacht Club held their annual meeting and prize night combined on Thursday. There was a good attendance, the city being well represented. This club has suffered through the want of attention to certain matters vital to a club's success. However, if all pull together, ns no doubt they will, matters should right themselves before the season actually starts. The two slipways and dinghy lockers of this club should be a valuable asset, as the hauling out areas are so convenient and have the merit of freedom from the smoke nuisance that exists in some parts of the city. The Tamaki Yacht Club prize distribution takes place this evening in the Imperial Theatre, Kohimarauia. In addition to about 90 club trophies, the prizes won at the harbour race for model yachts on May 29 will be presented. They include Mr. IT. Jackson's cup for the winner, Sea Spray, Mr. H. Duke's cup for the fastest time, made by' Bullet, also second, third anil fourth prizes. Tiie ehib has had a very successful season and thanks to the energetic treasurer, Mr. Warwick Jackson, not a single entry fee or subscription from racing members is uiipalJ.

The Point Chevalier Club will hold their annual meeting on Tuesday next in the clubhouse, Joan Street. The Takapuna Boating , Club's annual meeting takes place at the clubhouse, Bayewater, on Thursday, the 7th inst., -when the officers will be elected for the ensuing season and arrangements for the Cornwefl Cup contest put in hand. The Richmond Cruising Club's annual meeting takes place on Tuesday, September 19, in the clubhouse, Sloan's Beach. This club starts off well on the right side of the ledger, thanks to its many good workers. Tho Panmure Boating Club will hold the annual meeting in the clubhouse on Tuesday, September 19. Four boats of the club's river class of 18ft V-bottom boats are expected to be ready by the opening of the season. The Ponsonby Cruising Club's annual meeting will be held in the clubhouse on Wednesday, September 20. It is understood that most of the present executive will again offer their services. The Akarana Club will hold the annual meeting in the clubhouse on Wednesday, September 27. This club has suffered the loss by death on Thursday of Mr. Reuben Con ley. He was a very old member of this club and always took an active interest in it. For many years he owned and sailed the 22-footer Hilda and latterly he owned the well-known 22-footer Huia, in which Mr. Tom McKay has flown his commodore's flag. The late "Rube" Conley was one of the old school. He knew tho game thoroughly and played it well and truly. Seldom, if ever, in his long boating career has he entered a protest against his brother yachtsmen, and "JiipeedweH" doubts if ever a protest was entered against him. He will be missed from the club's circle of silent workers, and by none more sincerely than Tom McKay, his lifelong crew and companion in many races and cruises from the open boat days to the present.